Arsenal Dealt Fresh Injury Blow, Key Quartet Could Miss FA Cup Final vs Chelsea

Arsenal are facing a defensive crisis heading in to the FA Cup final against Chelsea with Shkodran Mustafi the latest player to be classed as a doubt for the game, according to the BBC.

Mustafi missed yesterday’s closing Premier League win over Everton after suffering a blow to the head during the win over Sunderland at the Emirates last Tuesday night.

The 25-year-old managed to finish the game as Arsenal eased to a 2-0 win but his symptoms developed and the German international was forced to sit out Sunday’s final league match due to suspected concussion.

Mustafi had initially been expected to recover in time to play in the FA Cup final, however, the BBC claim that the injury is more serious than first anticipated and the defender remains a doubt to take on Chelsea.

The news will be a huge concern to Arsene Wenger as the Gunners boss faces the prospect of heading to Wembley without three of his first choice centre-backs.

Laurent Koscielny is certain to miss out after being sent off during the early stages of Arsenal’s win over Everton while Gabriel was stretchered off in the second half with a knee injury.

Wenger admitted after the game that the problem looked serious and the Brazilian is a major doubt to face Chelsea meaning Arsenal are facing a defensive crisis.

Per Mertesacker made his first appearance of the season after coming on as a substitute yesterday but it would be a huge risk to throw him in to an FA Cup final with so little match practice under his belt.

It means Wenger may be forced to revert to a back four as Rob Holding and Nacho Monreal would be the only other viable options at centre-back if Mustafi and Gabriel are both ruled out.

To make matters worse, Alexis Sanchez also limped out of the win over Everton with a suspected hamstring injury so the Chilean international could also miss out this weekend.

I’m sure Wenger will do all he can to have Sanchez available as it would be a devastating blow for Arsenal to lose their star man but he remains a doubt until scans of the hamstring are taken.

Arsenal head to Wembley in fine form having won their last five league games but the task of beating the newly-crowned champions would be even greater if they’re without four of their key players.